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No. 219. 



ROSTOF PEARLS 



'PS 635 
1.29 
JN529 
Copy 1 



B Social "ffnctoent in ©ne Bet 



MARY ROSS NEVITT 



Copyright, 1912, by Samuel French 



CAUTION,— The professional acting rights of " Rostof Pearls," are 
reserved. For terms for professional use apply to Samuel French, 
28-30 West 38 Street, New York. This notice does not apply to 
amateurs, who may perform the play without permission. 



New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

28-30 WEST 38th STREET 



London 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

26 Southampton Street 

STRAND 



«»t(IS>l«Sll«l(«IIOIItttttl 



ROSTOF PEARLS 



B Social ffnctDent In ©ne Set 



BY 



MARY ROSS NEVITT 



Copyright, 1912, by Samuel French 



CAUTION,— The professional acting rights of " Kostof Pearls," are 
reserved. For terms for professional use apply to Samuel French, 
28-30 West 38 Street, New York. This notice does not apply to 
amateurs, who may perform the play without permission. 



New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

28-30 WEST 38th STREET 



London 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

26 Southampton Street 

STRAND 



/. c A 



THE ROSTOF PEARLS 



CAST OP CHAEACTEES. 
Mrs. Eansdell 

WiNiERErEAN L 8 DELL j' - Dau ^ters to Mrs. Ransdell 

Countess Eostof 
Mrs. Edgerton Ames 
Miss Perkins 
Celeste 

Place : — The Eansdell residence in Washington. 
Time: — The present. 



/ 



'•CI.D 30715 



THE ROSTOF PEARLS 



Description of set: — A boudoir in the Kansdell 
residence, r., a door leading into hall. Rear, 
a pretty couch. R. 1 e., a dressing-table contain- 
ing toilet accessories. Several chairs are dis- 
posed about room, c, is a small table. Doors 
rear. 

DISCOYEEED : — Celeste seated at dressing-table 
trying on various hats which she has laid on 
chair beside her. There are others on couch. 
She eyes herself with evident admiration; she 
tries on another hat, holes disgusted and throws 
it over on couch. There is a knock at the door. 

Celeste, (hastily picking up hats and depositing 
them on couch) Entrez ! 

(Enter Miss Perkins, a severe looking, plainly- 
dressed woman of about thirty.) 

Miss Perkins. The butler told me I was to come 
in here. I'm Miss Perkins, from the Pinkerton 
offices, (begins taking off gloves) 

Celeste. Pinkerton ? 

Miss Perkins. The detective agency, you know. 
I've been sent up here to guard the presents, to see 
that none of the guests walk off with them. 

3 



4 THE ROSTOF PEARLS 

Celeste. Oui; oui; ze police. Oh, mademoiselle, 
ze presents ! Oh, zey are vaire beaut'ful. So beau- 
t'ful I nevaire see ! 

Miss Perkins, {crisply) Where are they ? 

Celeste, {points to door rear) Eight in zere. 
I 'ave been watching zem ; ze guests, zey 'ave not come 
to see ze presents yet. 

Miss Perkins, {removing hat) I am sorry to 
say that I am a little late. Detained at court. I was 
on duty in one of the dressing-rooms at the British 
Embassy last week — during the reception to Lady 
Inglesby — when I discovered one of the guests depart- 
ing with a gold powder-box, which I knew belonged 
to one of the receiving party. Of course I had to 
place her quietly under arrest. The case came up 
this morning. Unfortunately the reporters got in on 
it, so I suppose the whole affair will appear in the 
papers. One cannot be too careful at these large 
social functions, {points to door, rear) This way, 
you say? (Celeste nods her head affirmatively. 
Exit Miss Perkins:) 

Celeste, {gesticulating) Zat woman, how she 
talk! 

{Enter Mrs. Eansdell and Winifred.) 

Winifred, {going to dressing-table) Celeste, some 
powder, quick ! I am a sight ! Mamma, are you 
running away, too? {sits at dressing-table) 

Mrs. Eansdell. I just came up to rest a minute. 
I am completely exhausted! The countess is taking 
my place. 

Winifred. The countess ! Mother, you forget 
that for the last hour and something over, Janet has 
been the countess. I suppose you are referring to 
Sergius' mother. 

Mrs. Eansdell. Well, the dowager countess, then. 



THE ROSTOF PEARLS 5 

Isn't Janet perfect ? The wedding is a great success. 
Everyone of importance is here. 

Winifsed. Yes; everyone of importance; but I 
cannot understand the presence of one of -our guests 
— Mrs. Edgerton Ames. My dear mamma, why did 
you invite her? 

Mes. Eansdell. I believe your father has some 
business affairs with the Senator. 

Winifred, (superciliously) When we women 
manage politics, I shall only vote for men whose 
wives will be a social addition to the Capital. It's 
dreadful having all sorts of people thrust upon one. 
But isn't Society perfectly splendid, mamma? Oh, 
do you think I'll take? (goes over to her mother) 

Mes. Eansdell. (puts her arm around Winifeed) 
Of course you will ! I think you will be a greater 
success than Janet. Somehow, Janet is a little too 
serious. 

Winifeed. (hisses her impetuously) Oh, mamma! 
Maybe I'll get a prince ! I must go clown now. 
Even if there are six bridesmaids, the maid of honor 
is — well, quite important! Good-bye. 

(Exit Winifeed.) 

Mes. Eansbell. Celeste, bring me a mirror. 
(Celeste does so; Mes. Eansdell gazes at her 
reflection in mirror) A trifle pale, Celeste. 

Celeste. Oui, madame; ze rouge. (Celeste 
takes rouge and applies it) 

Mes. Eansdell. I hope you have not put on too 
much. 

Celeste. Oh, no, madame, just un peu — vaire 
leetle. Ze madame ees a — a dream ! (stands of and 
admires Mes. Eansdell. Enter Janet) 

Janet. Mother ! 

Mes. Eansdell. Why, Janet! Go right down- 
stairs ! The idea of a bride leaving ! Why 



6 THE ROSTOF PEARLS 

Janet. Don't be cross, mother ; I can spare only a 
few minutes. Celeste, bring me a glass of water. 

Celeste. Oui, madame la comptesse ! Pardon, 
ma dame, but — you look so — so 

Janet. Hurry, Celeste, (exit Celeste) Mother, 
I am worried nearly to death ! I noticed that — that 
— a man in business clothes stopped father and they 
went into the library and they were in there a long 
time and — and — father looked so worried — Oh, 
mother! something is wrong! I have been noticing 
it. 

Mrs. Eansdell. Oh, the man is — is some busi- 
ness person, I presume. How should I know ? I — I 
don't know all your father's business affairs. He 

Janet. Mother, you must tell ! You have been 
different lately. You look older 

Mrs. Eansdell. (shrieks) Older ! Good heavens ! 
I thought that young woman knew her business ! I'll 
have to change my masseuse. 

Janet. Yesterday you avoided the subject. I'll be 
missed, so please be quick, mother, (enter Celeste 
with water) There's — oh, Celeste, you might go 
down now and see if Simpkins can find you some- 
thing to eat. 

Celeste. Oui, madame. 

(Exit Celeste.) 

Janet. Well, remember, mother, in less than an 
hour I will be leaving for, perhaps, months ; don't let 
me go away with this doubt on my mind about father. 
Just think, mother, we sail to-morrow 

Mrs. Eansdell. I suppose it will be the first 
thing you will hear when you land at Southampton, 
so I might as well tell you now. Janet, dear, I've 
tried to keep it from you, but you insist upon my 
telling you, and — I suppose our daughters should 
know first. Janet, we are ruined ! Your father has 



THE ROSTOF PEARLS 7 

lost every dollar and to-morrow he will file a petition 
in bankruptcy. 

Janet. Mother ! We are — ruined ! 

Mrs. Eansdell. Yes. You insisted, you know. 

Janet. Of course, I should know about it. Oh ! 
But the wedding 

Mrs. Eansdell. My dear, the name of Eansdeil is 
always good for credit. 

Janet, (in horror) You mean — that — that none 
of this will be paid for? 

Mrs. Eansdell. My dear child, you are so 
practical ! Of course, in time 

Janet. Eauscher is in charge; isn't he? 

Mrs. Eansdell. Yes. 

Janet. Fortunately, he can afford to wait. But 
■ — my settlement on Sergius — my dower 

Mrs. Eansdell. That nearly ruined us; it left 
almost nothing, but 

Janet. Oh, mother, you did it all for me ! Oh, 
mother dear, why did you do it? 

Mrs. Eansdell. Don't say any more about it. 

Janet. And Winnie ! She was to have come out 
next month; what about her? 

Mrs. Eansdell. I don't know, I'm sure. 

Janet. Poor Winnie ! What a blow this will be 
to her ! 

Mrs. Eansdell. Yes. And what makes it still 
more unbearable, Mrs. Ames is your father's largest 
creditor — that is, he used her stocks and 

Janet. He used her stocks ! 

Mrs. Eansdell. (with dignity) With her permis- 
sion, of course. Good heavens ! your father is not a 
thief ! Oh, I don't know just how it was ; he was to 
pay a large sum for the use of them, or interest or 
something — I don't know anything about business, 
Janet, but I know there is no money with which to 
reimburse her. 



8 THE EOSTOF PEARLS 

Janet. I wish we knew something about business. 
So that accounts for her presence here. Oh, how 
humiliating ! Of course, she'll use her utmost in- 
fluence to ruin us. 

Mrs. Kansdell. We have invited her to every- 
thing. 

Janet. For the past three months — yes. Last 
season we simply ignored her. 

Mrs. Bansdell. My dear ! People trying to get 
into Society do not remember what happened last 
season. 

(Enter Winifred.) 

Winifred. Good gracious, Janet, Sergius is tear- 
ing his hair out by handfuls; you'd better come 
down. 

Janet. All right, I'll be right down. 

(Exeunt Mrs. Eansdell and Winnie. Janet walks 
up and down a minute; her face finally lights 
up; she goes to wall and presses button. Enter 
Celeste.) 

Janet. Celeste, bring me my traveling bag. 

Celeste. Oui, maclame la comptesse. 

(Exit Celeste. Janet walks about Enter Celeste 
with bag.) 

Janet. That will be all, Celeste. 

(Exit Celeste. Janet opens bag and takes out con- 
tents. Finally comes to a jewel case which she 
opens and takes out a string of pearls.) 

These will help a little. I wonder how I can get rid 
of them. I know ! In New York they won't be able 



THE ROSTOF PEARLS 9 

to trace them, (she slips them in her bodice, and 
lays case on dressing-table as Mes. Ames enters) 

Janet, (nervously) How do you do, Mrs. Ames? 
I am just going downstairs. I trust you are not 
going yet. 

Mes. Ames. Oh, no ! My dear, the ceremony was 
beautiful ! Such a bevy of charming girls ! 

Janet. Yes ; I think it was lovely. I really must 
go, Mrs. Ames. 

(Exit Janet. Mes. Ames loofcs quizzically after her, 
then at dressing-table, to which she goes and 
looks at jewel case. Enter Celeste.) 

Celeste. Ah, madame must pardon ! I did not 
know, (helps her with gown) Some powdair — or 
rouge, madame? 

Mes. Ames. Yes. (bus. of Celeste powdering 
and rouging Mes. Ames) My lips. 

Celeste. Oui, madame, certainement. 

(Enter Countess Eostof.) 

Mes. Ames. Oh! Good-afternoon. 

Countess. Bonjour. You must pardon me, 
madame, but I meet so many I cannot remember 
names. 

Mes. Ames. Mrs. Edgerton Ames, wife of Senator 
Ames of Illinois. I am a frequent guest at this 
house. 

Countess. Yes ? 

Mes. Ames. Didn't the new countess look lovely? 
Such a charming girl ! 

Countess. Yes; there was but one fault — the 
absence of the Eostof pearls. The bride refused to 
wear 'em on account of some silly superstition. 

Mes. Ames. Yes: everyone is talking about them. 



10 THE ROSTOF PEARLS 

Pearls mean tears, you know; bad omen for a bride. 

Countess, (disdainfully) Every bride of the 
house of Eostof has worn zem, for centuries past, wiz 
one exception — the princess Marie de Yolschoff was 
forced to wed wizout zem as Napoleon — robber ! — 
had carried zem off to France for his new bride, 
Marie Louise — but zey were recovered after Waterloo. 

Mrs. Ames. How interesting! You foreigners 
live on family tradition. 

Countss. Yes ; but it is poor stuff to exist on. 

Mrs. Ames. That is the reason that international 
alliances are so evenly balanced. 

Countess. Ze pearls were presented to ze flfs 
Count of Eostof for his fidelity to Peter the Great. 
You must see zem, for zey may never be brought to 
America again, (rings bell. Enter Celeste) I 
wish ze necgiace — ze one ze countess vaw vearing ze 
ozzer night. 

Celeste. Oui, my lady, (makes a curtsey, goes 
to dressing-table and opens large jewel case) Ze 
pearls are not here. 

Countess. What ! Ze pearls not zere ! Find zem 
at once! (Celeste looks in other cases on dressing- 
table. Looks in drawer) 

Celeste. Zey must be in ze safe. I will see. I 
know zey are in ze house. Only zis morning Mile. 
Winifred was trying zem on. 

(Exit Celeste.) 

Countess. I must caution Jeannette to be more 

careful. Ze Americains are so — so — oh, so 

Mrs. Ames. Exactly; so 

Countess. Irresponsible; n'est-ce pas? 

(Enter Celeste.) 

Celeste. Your grace, zey are not zere; zey are — 
gone! 



THE ROSTOP PEARLS 11 

Countess, (clinging to table) Gone! Gone! 

Have you looked well? 

Celeste. Oui, my lady. Zey are lost ! (weeps) 
Countess. Keep quiet, you little fool ! It shall 

be explained — ah- — ah — (pants, and grows red in the 

face) 

Mrs. Ames. Pray be calm. Perhaps 

Countess. Calm ! — Calm ! — Oh, ze — ze — Did 

Peter ze Great give zem to ze fifs count of Eostof ? 

Did Napoleon steal zem ? Did — oh, no — no — no ■ 

Celeste. My lady! I — ze — I — will get her. 

(Exit Celeste. Enters almost immediately with 
Miss Perkins.) 

Countess, (staring through her lorgnette) Who 
are you? 

Miss Peekins. I am a Pinkerton agent. 

Countess. Agent ! What is zat ? 

Mrs. Ames. A detective. 

Countess. Zen get zose pearls ! Oh 

Miss Peekins. Please explain yourself. 

Countess. What ! Egsplain myself ! I do not 
need egsplain myself. I am ze Countess Eostof, ze 
daughter of Baron von Wisin. Be careful, madem- 
oiselle. 

Miss Perkins. I can't help who you are. You're 
in America now 

Countess. What ! Ze impert- 



Mrs. Ames. She wants to help you. 

Countess. Help ! I embrace you ! Ze pearls ; 
presented to ze fifth 

Miss Perkins. Where were they lost ? I haven't 
time to take down a history of Eussia. 

Countess. Oh, if zat Jeannette had worn zem — 

(Enter Janet and Winifred.) 
Oh, zere — where are ze pearls, Jeannette? 



12 THE ROSTOF PEARLS 

Janet. The pearls? 

Countess. Ze Eostof pearl necklace — oh, ze 
pearls zat were presented to ze 

Janet. Why I — I — , Celeste, where are the 
pearls ? 

Celeste. Helas, my lady, zey are los' ! 

Janet, {weakly) Lost? 

Countess, (excitedly) Oui, oui! — Perdu — los' ! 
Mon Dieu ! you not know ? 

Winnie. Have you looked everywhere, Celeste? 

Celeste. Oui, mademoiselle. Helas ! Helas ! 
Zey are gone! 

(Enter Mks. Eansdell.) 

Winifred. Oh, mamma ! there has been a 
robbery ! Janet's necklace 

Mrs. Eansdell. What! Oh! where is that 
detective ? 

Miss Perkins. Here. 

Mrs. Eansdell. What do you mean by allowing 
the robbery ? I am paying you for protection. 

Miss Perkins. I was employed to watch the wed- 
ding presents — not the family jewels. 

Mrs. Eansdell. Such impertinence! Winnie, 
did you hear that? 

Winnie. I'm not deaf, mamma. You see, mamma 
is quite upset. You're a detective, and you'll find 
them; won't you? 

Miss Perkins, (somewhat mollified) They will 
be easy enough to find. Didn't you have them at the 
American Security and Trust? 

Countess. Yes; zey were zere till zey were 
presented to ze countess. 

Miss Perkins. Exactly ; the " Star " had all the 
details with a photograph of the necklace. They have 
the description, of course. A valuable necklace like 
that is easily found if the loss is discovered in time. 



THE ROSTOF PEARLS 13 

Now, Mrs. — Countess — you say you had the necklace 
this morning 



Janet. No — yes — oh, I don't know ! 

Winifred. Oh, can't you see how nervous she is? 
I had the necklace about noon; we had just break- 
fasted in our boudoir and I was trying it on — then — 
oh, I remember ! Janet said she was going to put it 
in her traveling bag. 

Celeste. Ze bag! Oh, madame, here is ze bag! 
(Janet is seated l. Mrs. Ames stands near her, 
watching her furtively) Ze countess packed ze bag, 
saying she prifer — oui, I remember 

Countess, (sternly) Jeannette, you packed ze 
bag! 

Janet. Yes ; but I — I — did not put the jewel case 
in; I — I left it on the dressing-table — there it is — 

Mrs. Eansdell. My dear child ! 

Janet. Oh 

Winifred. Goodness ! Everybody is waiting to 
see the bride come down; she must dress 

Mrs. Ames. You are all wrought up about this 
necklace, and, Miss Eansdell, your sister is so nervous 
she does not know what she is saying. If you will 
all go out I think I can find out who last saw the 
necklace. 

Countess, (starting) I vill break ze news to my 
son. 

Mrs.. Ames. Don't you think we had better wait 
until we are sure it is lost? 

Countess. Oh, vaire well. 

Mrs. Eansdell. Janet, do you wish me to go? 
(Janet nods her head in the affirmative) Well! 
When my own child prefers — (sweeps out of the room 
after the countess; Miss Perkins and Celeste 
exeunt) 

Winifred, (running over to Janet) Janet dear, 
I don't believe it is lost. Cheer up ! 



14 THE ROSTOF PEARLS 

(Exit Winifred.) 

Mes. Ames. Now, my dear, you might as well 
make a clean breast of it. 

Janet. Mrs. Ames, you dare to insinuate — oh, 
excuse me, but 

Mes. Ames, (places her hand on Janet's arm) 
Now I know you despise me ! You and your friends 
have snubbed me unmercifully — I thought when my 
husband was made senator that the magic gates of 
society would be opened to me, but — I find you have 
to have something else. I've always envied you, but 
now I think I pity you, and, believe me, I want to 
help you. 

Janet. I — don't — have you seen father? 

Mes. Ames. My attorney has. 

Janet. Then you know 

Mes. Ames. That financially he is ruined ? Yes ; 
now won't you confide in me? 

Janet, (breaks down) I — I couldn't bear to see 
everything go — the house — everything ! And Winnie 
— poor child! it will be so hard for her 

Mes. Ames. So you wanted to help ? 

Janet, (rising, and drying her eyes) Yes; and — 
well, I guess I'm still the useless creature I've always 
been. It's futile. (takes necklace from bodice; 
vehemently) Here ! Oh, Mrs. Ames, I — I can't go 
away leaving things like this ! I — what — a honey- 
moon ! (weeps) 

Mes. Ames. My poor child! Listen; I am your 
father's heaviest creditor; I'm going to take his 
note 

Janet. Oh, but he hasn't anything. 

Mes. Ames. My dear, some day he may be able to 
pay me. I shall not feel it if he doesn't. 

Janet. Oh, I can't let you do this. 



THE ROSTOF PEARLS 15 

Mrs. Ames. Don't be foolish, (writes check, 
hands it to Janet) Here, you may give it to him. 
As for Winnie, I am thinking of taking a trip 
around the world, and I want some bright young 
person to keep me cheered up — don't you think 
Winnie's coming out can wait? 

Janet. Oh, Mrs. Ames ! You're — well, you're an 
Angel ! (hugs her) 

Mrs. Ames. My dear, we have no children, and 
money alone doesn't bring happiness; its value lies 
in giving pleasure to others, and. I like to see happy 
young faces. Now for the necklace; I'll put it — 
where can I put it? 

Janet. See that little cabinet ? 

Mrs. Ames. Yes. (puts necklace in cabinet) 
Now, I will call them, (rings bell. Enter Celeste) 
Celeste, ask them all to come in. (exit Celeste. 
Returns with all) The countess suddenly remem- 
bered having put the necklace in the cabinet? Will 
you look, Miss Eansdell? (Celeste looks in cabinet, 
finds necklace) 

Winifred. Oh, that's so! I'm not Miss Winnie 
any longer; I am Miss Eansdell. (looks in cabinet) 
Why, here it is ! How perfectly splendid, Janet ! 
(there is a knock at door r. Winnie goes to door) 
All right, (comes into room again) It's Sergius. 
He wants to know why the bride doesn't put in an 
appearance. 

Janet. Call the others, Celeste. (Celeste goes 
out a moment; the others all come in and make 
various exclamations of surprise over the recovery of 
the necklace. Then Celeste, who has returned, sud- 
denly remembers the note, gets it from beneath 
cabinet and gives it to Janet, who opens it and 
utters an exclamation of surprise) 

Janet. Let me read this note aloud, (reads) 
Agreeable to the instructions of the Count Rostof we 



16 THE ROSTOF PEARI^ 

are sending by special messenger the pearl necklace 
belonging to the countess. The one sent on the 5th 
instant was a paste imitation made, as a precautionary 
measure, for exhibition only! 



CURTAIN. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




